Identification, genomic organization, and oxidative stress response of a sigma class glutathione S-transferase gene (AccGSTS1) in the honey bee, Apis cerana cerana

Abstract

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are members of a multifunctional antioxidant enzyme superfamily that play pivotal roles in both detoxification and protection against oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species. In this study, a complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding a sigma class GST was identified in the Chinese honey bee, Apis cerana cerana (AccGSTS1). AccGSTS1 was constitutively expressed in all tissues of adult worker bees, including the brain, fat body, epidermis, muscle, and midgut, with particularly robust transcription in the fat body. Relative messenger RNA expression levels of AccGSTS1 at different developmental stages varied, with the highest levels of expression observed in adults. The potential function of AccGSTS1 in cellular defenses against abiotic stresses (cold, heat, UV, H 2 O 2 , HgCl 2 , and insecticides) was investigated. AccGSTS1 was significantly upregulated in response to all of the treatment conditions examined, although the induction levels were varied. Recombinant AccGSTS1 protein showed characteristic glutathione-conjugating catalytic activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Functional assays revealed that AccGSTS1 could remove H 2 O 2 , thereby protecting DNA from oxidative damage. Escherichia coli overexpressing AccGSTS1 showed long-term resistance under conditions of oxidative stress. Together, these results suggest that AccGSTS1 is a crucial antioxidant enzyme involved in cellular antioxidant defenses and honey bee survival.

Landscape and pesticide effects on honey bees: forager survival and expression of acetylcholinesterase and brain oxidative genes

“…On the one hand, the genes of the GST family are known to be upregulated in response to abiotic stresses, such as cold, heat, and insecticides (Yan et al 2013). On the other hand, AChE response to imidacloprid concentrations are similar to what has been found by Badiou-Bénéteau et al (2012), in which bees fed in the lab with thiamethoxam lethal doses showed no AChE response, although the same authors suggested that AChE expression could be considered a robust biomarker for other insecticide exposure in living bees (Badiou et al 2008).…”

Functional and mutational analyses of an omega‐class glutathione S‐transferase (GSTO2) that is required for reducing oxidative damage in Apis cerana cerana

“…Recently, a role for insect GSTs in mediating the oxidative stress response has been suggested by a number of studies (eg Yan et al ., ; Meng et al ., ). For example, in venom glands of Apis mellifera , proteomic analysis indicated that the presence of GSTs seems to defend against oxidative stress (Peiren et al ., ).…”

“…In addition, Nair & Choi () found up‐regulated GST expression in Chironomus riparius upon exposure to the pro‐oxidative stress inducer paraquat, suggesting its participation in the oxidative stress defence response. Although an increasing number of GST genes has been identified and characterized from insect species (Ketterman et al ., ; Yamamoto et al ., ; Yan et al ., ), the properties of hymenopteran GSTs, particularly the omega‐class GSTs (GSTOs), have not been well investigated in comparison with those of dipteran and lepidopteran species.…”

Effects of chlorpyrifos on enzymatic systems of Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) adults

“…Likewise, exposure of Oxya chinensis (Thunberg) for 24 h to chlorpyrifos concentrations between 0.080 and 0.28 μg/L had not influenced GST activities (Wu et al, 2011). GST enzymes are members of a multifunctional superfamily that play a dual role in both detoxification and protection against oxidative damage caused by ROS (Yan et al, 2013). Treatments of chlorpyrifos in Locusta migratoria (L.) caused a significant decrease of GST activities toward 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB) and p-nitro-benzyl chloride (pNBC) in a dose-dependent manner.…”